Rain denies Blues likely victory

Michael Hussey and Steve O'Keefe speak to the umpire shortly before the match was abandoned.

Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe

The Sheffield Shield clash between New South Wales and Western Australia has been drawn after day four was washed out.

Just 10 overs were bowled on Sunday due to persistent rain, with umpires declaring at 5.37pm that no more play was possible.

With Western Australia resuming at 8 for 211, with a second-innings lead of just 109 runs, the Blues were confident of getting a result before they were confronted by a soggy outfield at Blacktown International Sportspark.

On six occasions the covers were removed by ground staff, only to be put back moments later as the drizzle persisted before players took to the field.

No wickets fell and the Warriors added just eight runs through Ashton Agar (34 not out) and Jason Behrendorff (7 not out) to finish on 8 for 219.

The Blues claimed first-innings points thanks to classy half-centuries from Test hopefuls Steve Smith (72) and Moises Henriques (71) that gave them a 102-run first-innings lead, but the missed opportunity to claim the maximum six points from the game will irk them.

The Sunday wash-out also denied players a final chance at pushing their Test cases, with the squad for next month's four-Test tour of India expected to be announced on Thursday.

Blues captain Stephen O'Keefe, considered an option to be picked as the back-up spinner to Nathan Lyon, did his chances no harm with match figures of 8 for 102 to take his season tally to 17 wickets.

The two sides will face off in the one-day arena at the SCG on Wednesday, while the Warriors' next four-day match is against Queensland at the Gabba starting on February 4 and New South Wales travel to Tasmania to take on the Tigers from February 6.

Queensland's 50-over match with Tasmania was also washed out due to torrential rain in Brisbane.